Blade gift

Hombre · 4th January 2024, 05:34 PM

"So Hombre, since you are asking for our thoughts, why not share yours?
Its discussion, not poker"

You are correct, Jim! My thoughts are that it is a tourist piece and that it is not very old. Still happy about it because I got it from a friend who knew I was interested in different blades. He has been working in Saudi (IBM) and bought it there... Now when they have grandchildren his wife didn´t want it any longer so...

Jim McDougall · 5th January 2024, 04:42 AM

Hey Hombre,
Sorry man! In rereading this, that was pretty blunt.
I understand the old adage, 'if nothing nice to say.....etc. ' but I guess I get frustrated if the discussion gets one sided. The 'tourist' kiss of death is always a dread, but must be brought out......then to say, Im hoping to find support otherwise.
To me even 'souvenir' items have certain value for what they are as they represent traditions of a culture, place and time. Thats sort of the way I see mine.
You sound like a collector with a great attitude! Stay the course!

David R · 5th January 2024, 05:07 PM

I have more pics on file, but they don't add much to the conversation. In use they appear to be held blade up, point forward, which seems a little odd to western eyes, a bit like the classical era "Sica". Apparently they are this size because of the prevalence of "dangerous animals" in the area!

Re the tourist trap, I have seen a comment on one forum that unless an area has an actual tourist or foreign garrison market to cater for what you get is the same item as sold to the locals.

I find a lot of the stuff from this area plain or home made looking, but as I understand it it is a result of poverty, and the flight in the 1950's of their artisan class.

Just thoughts and opinions, rather than expertise, from an old collector and haunter of the internet..

4th January 2024, 05:34 PM	#1
Hombre Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 232	"So Hombre, since you are asking for our thoughts, why not share yours? Its discussion, not poker" You are correct, Jim! My thoughts are that it is a tourist piece and that it is not very old. Still happy about it because I got it from a friend who knew I was interested in different blades. He has been working in Saudi (IBM) and bought it there... Now when they have grandchildren his wife didn´t want it any longer so...

5th January 2024, 04:42 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,785	Hey Hombre, Sorry man! In rereading this, that was pretty blunt. I understand the old adage, 'if nothing nice to say.....etc. ' but I guess I get frustrated if the discussion gets one sided. The 'tourist' kiss of death is always a dread, but must be brought out......then to say, Im hoping to find support otherwise. To me even 'souvenir' items have certain value for what they are as they represent traditions of a culture, place and time. Thats sort of the way I see mine. You sound like a collector with a great attitude! Stay the course!

5th January 2024, 05:07 PM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,055	I have more pics on file, but they don't add much to the conversation. In use they appear to be held blade up, point forward, which seems a little odd to western eyes, a bit like the classical era "Sica". Apparently they are this size because of the prevalence of "dangerous animals" in the area! Re the tourist trap, I have seen a comment on one forum that unless an area has an actual tourist or foreign garrison market to cater for what you get is the same item as sold to the locals. I find a lot of the stuff from this area plain or home made looking, but as I understand it it is a result of poverty, and the flight in the 1950's of their artisan class. Just thoughts and opinions, rather than expertise, from an old collector and haunter of the internet..